Laila is number 6 in her class of 41 students. She is living with her mother. She likes to read biology books and newspapers. Her mother has low income and is not able to pay for the school fees. For Laila, education is the key to her success.

My life is hard because in our family are 7 children and other relatives. My father is a fisherman, my mother is a housewife. My father normally leaves home for more than two months to fish in Kidatu dam. He can’t catch enough fish because he doesn’t have sufficient tools. He cannot provide us all the basics. I got a TSF scholarship and I was proud when I passed my O-level studies. My A-level studies start in July. I am thankful for TSF help. I want to be a doctor and will study and work to achieve. One day I will be able to help my family overcome the difficulties we are going through.

Matilda is number 2 in her class. Her father has been away since she was very young. She is only doing daily labor that is unpredictable and she therefore cannot afford to pay the school fees and other payments. She believes that education will complete her vision of becoming a doctor so she can help patients.

Deusi is number 2 in his class. His father and mother are unable to satisfy the needs at both the school and at home. They are small peasants. Deusi likes physics. To Deusi, education is like a shield in the battle ground.

My life is hard because in our family are 7 children and other relatives. My father is a fisherman, my mother is a housewife. My father normally leaves home for more than two months to fish in Kidatu dam. He can’t catch enough fish because he doesn’t have sufficient tools. He cannot provide us all the basics. I got a TSF scholarship and I was proud when I passed my O-level studies. My A-level studies start in July. I am thankful for TSF help. I want to be a doctor and will study and work to achieve. One day I will be able to help my family overcome the difficulties we are going through.

Class Rank: 4 out of 250 Aisha is a hard working girl especially in her studies. She is the fourth student out of two hundred and fifty. She lives with her sister-in-law here in Iringa. Her brother lives in Tanga. Aisha's father passed away before she was born. Her mother lives in Dar es Salaam. Her sister-in-law owns a small shop and she is the one who pays for her school fees. Aisha has been missing some of her lesson because of being barred back home to collect school fees. This is because her sister-in-law cannot afford to pay it in time. Aisha says "education is the power that can guide her to a better future".

Class Rank 80 out of 250 Secilia is a thirteen year old girl, the only child in her family. She lost her father in 2007. Currently she lives with her grandmother whose work is to sell used clothes in streets. The little income Secilia's grandmother earns is used to cater for their basic needs which include her school fees as well as food for the family. Her mother is living in Dar es Salaam and is jobless. Secilia has been forced to miss some of her schooling days because of failing to pay the school fees on time. Secilia says "Education is the light that can help her to have a brighter future".